Who is Patrick Johansson? PM Shehbaz Sharif Meets Ericsson Delegation in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a delegation from Ericsson, led by Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Market Area Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan’s telecommunications and IT infrastructure, including 5G networks.

Patrick Johansson and Ericsson’s Role

Patrick Johansson is the senior executive at Ericsson responsible for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Under his leadership, Ericsson has supported countries in expanding advanced networks and digital connectivity.

The company has had a longstanding presence in Pakistan, contributing to the country’s telecom sector for more than 60 years.

Key Points from the Meeting

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s interest in leveraging Ericsson’s global expertise to:

• Develop secure and sustainable IT infrastructure

• Expand next-generation digital networks including 5G

• Promote economic growth and productivity

• Enhance public service delivery

The discussions also covered:

• Digital skills development

• Financial inclusion and cashless payment systems

• Using technology to improve disaster preparedness and institutional resilience

Government Support for Technology Investments

Sharif reaffirmed the government’s support for foreign investors and strategic partners in Pakistan’s technology sector. He welcomed collaboration with Ericsson, especially ahead of the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, which the delegation praised as a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s IT landscape.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and senior officials from relevant government departments.